#1  
Old 07-Jan-2005, 13:41
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Default cold

Dear teachers.

what's the difference between 1,2 and 3?

1, What's wrong with your voice, do you have a cold?
2, What's wrong with your voice, did you have a cold?
3, What's wrong with your voice, did you get a cold?

Have a nice day!
  #2  
Old 08-Jan-2005, 12:35
Mister Micawber's Avatar
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Default Re: cold

1-- do you have a cold now?
2-- did you have a cold before now?
3-- did you catch a cold before now and have it now?
  #3  
Old 08-Jan-2005, 19:05
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Smile Re: cold

Commentary
1. What's wrong with your voice, do you have a cold?
That's natural English, but when writing it use two sentences (or at least use a semicolon).
2, What's wrong with your voice, did you have a cold?

The did in the second clause puts that clause in the past tense. It clashes with the first clause. Better: "What's wrong with your voice. Are you getting over a cold?" (Using did puts the clause in the simple past, meaning that the cold could have happened at any time.)
3, What's wrong with your voice, did you get a cold?

Mr. Micawber's interpretation is possible, but the first sentence is a more natural way of saying that. (If a person has a cold now he naturally acquired it before now.)

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